The Legendary Gatornationals

Published March 13th, 2009

It's been a hit with fans and drivers since the first Gatornationals in 1970--with fans packing the grandstands and about 400 drivers flocking to the track.

With a three story tower, it was considered a state of the art facility. But for the first few years, there was a real alligator in a pond surrounding a small island that was jokingly called the "protest Area."

The track quickly developed a reputation as one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. The Gainesville Raceway sits about 160 feet above sea level. But Raceway General Manager Don Robertson says if there is cool air without a lot of moisture, it's the equivalent of more than 1000 feet below sea level--great conditions for engines.

The 240, 260, 270 mph barriers were all broken here for the first time. But the biggest of course is Kenny Bernstein breaking the 300 mph barrier in 1992.